Select your language
Overview
Gold has been used for decades on jewellery and for decoration, as well as as currency. Gold doesn’t oxidize or tarnish the same way silver does, and that is why gold is used nowadays on computer circuits and for coating different connections.
Gold itself is very soft, and to harden gold alloy, it is mixed with various metals. This alloy makes it possible to use gold as jewellery. Still, it is possible for gold jewellery to tarnish as it has mixed metals in the alloy.
Hallmark
In Finland, the quality marking is made per mille, meaning how much pure noble metal is in the jewelry. Carats (ct) are an old measurement, which is still used today, but in Finland, the quality mark by carats is not used.
So, if the jewelry has a 750 stamp, it means that the jewellery has 750 ‰ (per mille) pure gold.
Carats/per mille
9 / 375 | 14 / 585 | 18 / 750 | 22 / 916 | 24 / 999
Cleaning
Clean jewellery with lukewarm water and use mild dish soap (which has a neutral pH). You can use a new, clean toothbrush.
After washing jewellery, dry it carefully with a clean, lint-free cloth. If you use anti-tarnish cloth, make sure it is suitable for gold jewellery.
Gold usually doesn't tarnish, but the pH of the skin can cause it to tarnish. You can prevent this by taking jewellery off when working, especially with chemicals.
Storage
Store jewellery separately from other pieces to help prevent scratches.
Keep the jewellery in its original box or another clean jewellery box. Alternatively, wrap it in a clean, lint-free cloth and place it in an airtight bag.
You should take off gold jewellery when swimming at the pool; chlorine added to the water can harm your gold jewellery.
Yellow gold
Usually, yellow gold has a mix of copper and silver in it. The most commonly used alloy in Finland is 585 (14ct) or 750 (18ct).
Under than 585, yellow gold alloys may tarnish due to more copper per mille. Because gold in its natural form is really soft, it may be more prone to scratches and dents.
To keep jewellery in good shape, it is recommended to give it to a jeweler for a checkup every year.
White gold
In the past, nickel was commonly used in white gold alloys to achieve a bright white colour. Today, palladium is typically used instead.
White gold is more durable than yellow gold, making it an excellent choice for gemstone settings. Most white gold jewellery is also rhodium plated, as the natural yellow tint of gold can become visible over time if the rhodium coating wears away or is not applied.
Rose gold
Rose gold, also known as red gold, is created by alloying gold with copper. The added copper makes rose gold highly durable and well suited for everyday wear.
The intensity of the red colour depends on the amount of copper in the alloy. A 585 rose gold alloy generally has a deeper reddish hue than 750 rose gold. A 375 alloy is commonly used for rose gold jewellery.
Prosessing
Recycling
Gold jewellery and items made out of gold can be recycled by melting.
Stone setting
Especially gold, 750 per mille (18ct) is perfect for stone setting since it is resilient and easy to shape around the stone. Gold alloy with 585 (14ct) can harden too fast while setting the stone, making stone setting more hard.
Delicate stones, like tourmaline and emerald, can be set in the fine gold.
Element: AU
Melting point: 1 064 °C
Density: 19,3 g/cm³
Colour: Yellowish